Parties That Cook class — 5:45-9 p.m. May 26. This fun evening of cooking and wine starts outside with wine and light hors d’oeuvres at the historic Ferry Building kitchen under the North Arcade. Executive Chef Bibby Gignilliat will provide a lively cooking demonstration. Ferry Plaza, North Arcade, San Francisco. $150. 415-441-3595, http://cookingupsuccessbay.eventbrite.com.

15th annual Born to Rhone Weekend — 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 29-31. Concannon’s RhÃ´ne heritage and wines will be highlighted during this unique tasting weekend. Come out to taste our award-winning RhÃ´ne offerings such as Viognier, Syrah and Petite Sirah, participate in barrel tasting, try special library vintages, picnic on the beautiful estate grounds, and check out the new Underdog Wine Bar next door. Music by Dan Taylor’s Band 1-3 p.m. May 30. Bottle signing by 3rd generation vintner Jim Concannon 1-3 p.m. May 29. 4590 Tesla Road, Livermore. 925-456-2505.

Thomas Coyne Winery Spring Open House — Noon-5 p.m. May 29-31. The release of two new wines served with a selection of fine fruits and cheeses. It’s time for “Bottle Your Own Wine.” Buy Vino Tinto Barato at the Open House. Bring your clean bottle, they will fill, cork and label it for you for $5.50 per bottle. Use their bottle for $6. Or you may bottle, label and cork it yourself. Availability guaranteed May 29 only. Bring a picnic and enjoy a stunning view of the valley with a glass of elegant wine in a rustic setting. 51 Vallecitos Road, Livermore. 925-373-6541, www.thomascoynewinery.com.

South Bay Home Show — June 4-6. Join celebrity grill gurus Mad Dog and Merrill at the Santa Clara Convention Center. This wacky duo has more than 30 years of culinary experience and will share their insider tips, recipes and demonstrations throughout the weekend. Mad Dog and Merrill will discuss techniques for gas grills versus charcoal, elaborate on which rubs and marinades work best for specific types of meat and give valuable hint on timing and preparation of food. 5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara. $5-$10. 408-236-2000, www.southbayhomeshow.com.

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Donatiello Winery Launches Seasonal Wine and Cheese Pairings — 11 a.m.-5 p.m. beginning June 5. For the remainder of year, the winery will focus on three local Sonoma County creameries, pairing four select cheeses with a flight of four carefully selected single vineyard estate Chardonnays and pinot noirs. Each cheese plate is adorned with locally produced accouterments and fresh cuttings from the winery’s organic Aroma Garden to further enhance the tasting experience. 4035 Westside Road, Healdsburg. www.cdonatiello.com.

2010 Belmont Stakes Wine Festival — Noon-4 p.m. June 5. Eleven wineries from the East Bay Vintners Alliance will pour a variety of sparklings, whites, roses and reds in honor of this much-anticipated yearly event. In addition to wine tasting, the festival will feature work from local artists of the Point Richmond Art Collection, live music and fine food. The festival location will also afford fans a railbird’s view of the horse racing action. Golden Gate Fields, 1100 Eastshore Highway, Berkeley. General Admission starting at $4. Tickets for wine festival $20-$30. www.eastbayvintners.com.

An Outdoor Marketplace with a French Flair — 11 a.m.-4 p.m. June 12. Food and wine, arts and crafts, and entertainment. Featuring a wine garden. Customers can stroll, shop and relax while listening to the charming vocals and instrumentals that bring the ambience of Paris to the shores of Benicia. Main Street. 707-745-9791, www.beniciamainstreet.org.

StarChefs.

com San Francisco Bay Rising Stars Revue — 7:30-10 p.m. June 16. The Rising Star Awards recognize up-and-coming chefs, pastry chefs, sommeliers and mixologists from around the country who represent future leaders of the national culinary scene. The walk-around tasting gala will feature signature savory dishes, desserts and cocktails presented by Rising Star. Ghirardelli Square, 900 North Point St., San Francisco. $95, $150 VIP (includes champagne and caviar and early access to the gala). www.starchefs.com/tickets/index.php?event=1.

Caipi-Hour Celebration at Espetus Churrascaria — 4-7 p.m. June 17. Guests can enjoy, with the purchase of a cocktail, a complimentary sampling of hors d’oeuvres and a tasting of Grgich Hills Estate Winery wines, plus complimentary Cachaa flights provided by Leblon Cachaa and live bossa nova music. 710 South B St., San Mateo. 650-342-8700.

June Wine Walk — 6-9 p.m. June 23. The Wine Walk invites guests to stroll Downtown Walnut Creek, while enjoying some of the finest wines from local wineries. Wines will be served indoors at all participating locations. Maps of participating businesses and a wine glass will be available at the starting point. The Wine Walk begins at Pro Home Systems, 1561 Civic Drive. Parking: 1625 Locust Street. $25 Pre-ticket sales: www.walnutcreekdowntown.com. $30 the day of. Must be 21 or older to participate. 925-933-6778.

Days of Wine and Lavender — 1-4 p.m. June 26. Taste Matanzas Creek wine and a special menu, created by the estate chefs, highlighting lavender as a culinary ingredient. Lisa Gottreich of Bodega-based Bohemian Creamery will offer samples of her Italian-style cheeses. 21 and older. 6097 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. 800-590-6464, www.matanzascreek.com.

An Author Dinner and talk with Marion Nestle — 5:30 p.m. May 23. Catered by Chef Christian Caiazzo of Osteria Stellina. The meal features Marin’s finest local, organic producers and is the first to take place in Flower Power’s secret garden in Point Reyes Station. Seating is limited to 25 people. Free author talk precedes the dinner at 3 p.m. at Toby’s Feed Barn. www.marinorganic.org.

Cafe Rouge Special Menu Celebrating “Eating Local”, the cookbook inspired by America’s Farmers by Janet Fletcher — 11:30 a.m.-closing through June 1. The regular menu will be expanded with recipes inspired by the book, using produce from Full Belly Farms and many other Northern California farmers, fisherman, ranchers and winemakers that Café Rouge has long championed. 1782 Fourth St., Berkeley. 510-525-1440, www.caferouge.net.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar Spring Prix Fixe menu — Through June 21. In celebration of spring, Fleming’s Executive Chef Russell Skall has created an innovative 3-course dinner inspired by the vibrant flavors of the season. The new menu offers the choice of soup or salad, two entrees and a light but decadent dessert. 180 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. $39.95. 650-329-8457.

Marie Callender — Any whole Pie Sale to Go, $6.99 through June. Also launching “Marie’s New Burger Combo” May 28. Includes one of Marie’s new specialty hamburgers, fries and slice of pie for only $8.99. New specialty hamburger offerings include the Cabo San Lucas Burger, the Mushroom, Onion & Swiss Burger, the BBQ Cheddar Burger, and Pepper-Crusted Gorgonzola Burger. www.mariecallenders.com.

The Cheesecake Factory — 10 a.m.-2 p.m. New Sunday Brunch menu. Including pancakes for the first time in their 30-year history. Lemon Ricotta Pancakes topped with fresh strawberries are among the new specialties. $6.50 to $15.95. In addition to brunch, The Cheesecake Factory offers its extensive selection of over 200 fresh-from-scratch menu items and 30 varieties of cheesecake. www.thecheesecakefactory.com.

The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards “Local Menu” — The Local Menu offers a delightful array of dishes inspired by spring and the Wente Estate’s garden. Recently appointed executive chef Eric Berg brings a rustic slant to the new menu, offering a choice of seasonal dishes created with ingredients so local that they come from the garden just steps away from the restaurant. 5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore. 925-456-2400.

Thursday Nights at the Table — 7 p.m. Thursdays. Inspired by the Wente family’s love of family-style dining, guests at the restaurant can enjoy a shared three-course dining experience created by executive chef Arthur Wall. Guests will dine at communal tables, with a weekly changing preset menu served by Wall and wait staff. Once dishes arrive at the table, guests will dine family style. $39 with wine, $29 without. 5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore. Reservations: 925-456-2450.

The Melting Pot Larkspur — Limited time Pacific islands-themed dishes. Devour daring and tropical flavor combinations without having to venture all the way to the Pacific islands. 125 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Larkspur. www.meltingpot.com.

Portraits of the American Cupcake — Ends June 15. Hostess is hoping these celebrity squiggles inspire cupcake lovers across America to submit their own original artwork featuring the famous squiggle in a way that reflects their own personal heritage, experience and personality. Five winning “portraits” from among public submissions will be chosen to be painted on Hostess delivery trucks across the country. Winners will also receive a $1,000 cash prize. Consumers can submit artwork via www.hostesscakes.com or via mail to: Hostess Portraits of the American Cupcake Art Program, c/o Linden Alschuler & Kaplan Public Relations, 1251 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 940, New York, New York 10020. For additional information and complete rules visit www.hostesscakes.com.

Baking Competition — 10 a.m. July 3. If you love chocolate and enjoy baking with the best, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Championship is for you! This chocolate “showdown” rewards the makers of the most tempting treats, snacks, cakes, candies, cookies and desserts. Any type of chocolate creation is welcome! First and second place entries win $150 and $50 respectively. The top three winners take home a Ghirardelli gift basket, plus a prize ribbon, apron and award certificate. In addition, one random contestant will win a Ghirardelli gift basket. Create your recipe with at least one all natural Ghirardelli baking product (chocolate chips, bars and/or cocoa), and up to 10 other ingredients. Judging is based on chocolate taste (40 percent), originality/creativity (30 percent), appearance (20 percent), and ease of preparation (10 percent). Ages 18 or older may enter; limit one entry per person. For baking tips, recipe ideas and product information, go to www.ghirardelli.com.

Redwood Creek Wines’ Blaze a Better Barbecue recipe contest — Ends July 31. Redwood Creek urges grilling and outdoor enthusiasts across America to enter for a chance to win the ultimate grilling vacation — an all-expenses-paid trip to Steven Raichlen’s Barbecue University in 2011 featuring Redwood Creek wine. Eight finalists each will receive $500 in cash and the chance at the grand prize trip to Barbecue University. Submit an original grilling recipe. All entries must include one of Redwood Creek’s nine, food-friendly wines as an ingredient. To spark your imagination, barbecue authority Steven Raichlen, host of “Primal Grill” on public television, has shared some signature dishes on the website, including Grilled Clams with sauvignon blanc, Brats in a Chardonnay “Hot Tub” and Beef Ribs with Pinot Noir Barbecue Sauce. A panel of wine, culinary and outdoor enthusiasts will narrow the pool of applicants to the top eight finalists. The panel then will select a grand prize winner. As a proud supporter of the great outdoors, Redwood Creek will make a $2,500 donation in the grand prizewinner’s name to the outdoor nonprofit of their choice. RedwoodCreekWine.com.